Stateline Western Australia

Kay Hallahan: Labor veteran has fresh tilt at Canning

REBECCA CARMODY: If you were tempted, we'll have Donna McCarthy's recipe for traditional tripe on our website next week (can't wait to look that one up). Finally tonight, Labor's problematic campaign in the marginal federal seat of Canning and problematic is probably too kind a word. The party is now onto its third candidate after its second, Cimlie Bowden, quit in disgust on Monday amid rumours she was going to be dumped for poor performance. Her replacement, Kay Hallahan, joined me earlier.

REBECCA CARMODY: Kay Hallahan, welcome to Stateline.

KAY HALLAHAN, LABOR CANDIDATE FOR CANNING: Thank you, Rebecca.

REBECCA CARMODY: Now, at 62 years old, and turning 63 in November, why would you even want to get back in the game?

KAY HALLAHAN: Well, it's not a question of wanting to get back in the game. It's a question of there being a situation to be responded to which I think is a serious situation that has developed and I'm very, very concerned about the outcome of the next election.

REBECCA CARMODY: I don't want to dwell on your age or be ages...

KAY HALLAHAN: That'd be good.

REBECCA CARMODY: ..but most people at 62 are thinking about retirement. Are you going to have the energy for the cut and thrust of politics?

KAY HALLAHAN: Well, I think that's a reasonable question, but, um, I can only tell you that I'm a lucky person. Today I feel healthy and well and I think that I do have the energy that's required for the job. And the other thing that I do have is some experience. So, I mean, people will make a judgment, Rebecca. And the people of Canning can decide whether they think that's a factor they should consider.

REBECCA CARMODY: And they'll be looking at the fact that when your first term expires you'll be 66, and will you be able to commit to a second term?

KAY HALLAHAN: Well, that's a decision that I certainly will be making at that time and so will they. So I think this could be quite a nice, uh, consultative decision-making. Um, that's a fabulous thing, I have to say, about the democratic system we operate in.

REBECCA CARMODY: In any party, isn't it the ideal for there to be renewal and fresh blood rather than going back to someone who's already had a good time? I mean, you've had 13 years in the State Parliament.

KAY HALLAHAN: Look, I absolutely subscribe to that. Uh, and in every circumstance I've a done a lot to encourage younger people along. We do know that some very unusual circumstances arose and I was asked to seriously consider taking this course of action. So I responded to that and because I do think this could be a turning point for the whole nation, not only in the seat of Canning. But I do think the people in Canning have a most unusual opportunity to chart the future and a responsibility as well.

REBECCA CARMODY: As I understand it, two women were approached before you, which not only makes you the third choice for Labor, but the fifth choice for Labor. Do the people of Canning deserve more than the fifth choice that Labor can come up with?

KAY HALLAHAN: Well, I don't know about the other choices you're talking about, but I do know Jane Gerrick. I was Jane Gerrick's campaign director last time and she sadly died on Christmas Day this year. There is a little sentimentality, I suspect, about my attachment to Jane too in taking this on. So the people of Canning, I believe, I seriously believe, or I wouldn't have taken this course of action, would be well-served if they were to elect me.

REBECCA CARMODY: What did Cimlie Bowden do that was so wrong?

KAY HALLAHAN: Well, I was not involved in all the decision-making around that at all. I had supported Cimlie and taken her to meet community groups in Armadale and then provided...

REBECCA CARMODY: But if you thought she was doing a good job, you wouldn't have put your hand up to replace her.

KAY HALLAHAN: No, that's not quite true because the fact is that, um, Cimlie, was, uh, there were really very serious problems apparently, on the campaign team. I mean, um, let's not dwell too much on Cimlie, but, I mean, there was a definite problem. Um, and, um, it's not that I'm responding, I suppose, to the outcome of dealing with that problem.

REBECCA CARMODY: Have you ever seen a preselection in the history of the Labor Party handled more poorly or more clumsily?

KAY HALLAHAN: Well, I clearly think that there's a need for processes for dealing with problems on campaigns. I certainly think it's been a very, uh, a very unfortunate and probably bruising experience for lots of people. But when you're the public person, it's very difficult for that individual and for the family members and supporters around them.

REBECCA CARMODY: Well, Cimlie Bowden says she experienced unprecedented levels of bullying and harassment. That's not a very good endorsement for Labor, is it, when someone's saying that?

KAY HALLAHAN: I think it's a very unfortunate set of circumstances.

REBECCA CARMODY: Do you think given the acrimony of the past week that you have any chance of winning or have you written yourself off?

KAY HALLAHAN: Oh, I, um, a born optimist. If I take something on, I work very hard at it and, um, I...and to be quite honest to do the job energetically as I usually approach everything I need to believe I'm going to win.

REBECCA CARMODY: So is it unfair to say then, that you've just been brought in to stem the losses?

KAY HALLAHAN: Oh, I think lots of people think I'm going to win. I mean, we'll see who's realistic at the end, Rebecca, but the people of Canning will make the decision, OK? There's a clear choice now. Labor has fuelled the situation and so we move on.